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FRANK HORTON, OF SILVER CREEK, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND ALBERT HORTON, OF THE SAME PLACE.

Lesers Patent No. 70,720, dazed November 12, 1867.

IMIROVED HAY 0R COTTON-PRESS.

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TO ALL WHOM'IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, FRANK HORTON, of'Silver Creek, in the county of Chautauqua, and State of New York, (assignor to myself and Albert Horton, of the saine place,) have invented a certain new and improved Hay or Cotton-Press; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, `reference being had to the accompaning drawings, in which- Figure I is a longitudinal vertical section,

Figure II is a top plan view, and v Figure III is a transverse vertical section through'X Y.

In the hay-press to which my improvements relate the follower moves horizontally, the press-box being also arranged in a horizontal position, that is to say, so that a horizontal plane would cut it longitudinally.

My improvements c'onsist- A First. In hinging the whole longitudinal top of the press-box, either in one or two pieces, to'the side thereof, .and a portion of the side of the press-box, slightly longer than the pressed bale, to the bottom thereof, whereby the whole longitudinal area of the press-box may be opened ,for the expeditious filling thereof with hay, andthe side and top opened for the @,asy removal of the pressed bale.

Second. Carrying the draught-chains to the follower in longitudinal grooves cut in the sides of the pressbox, and attaching the same to the follower at points inside of the press-frame and the end slideebearings of the follower, thus materially shortening the length of the follower, and permitting the leading of the draught lchains to the windlass-shaft within the bearings thereof on the press-frame, such construction giving much greater strength and simplicity than an outside leading and connection of the chains, as in some other machines.

Third. Connecting the draught-chains to the windlass-shaft near the centre thereof, after leading over guide-rollers so placed in the press-frame as to hold the chains parallel in the side grooves of the press-box, but cause them to lead obliqnely to the windlass-shaft, so that they will wind up spirally thereon, and without riding, and under the nal strain pull directly parallel. I

Fourth. In an improved device for fastening the doors of the press.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.

A represents the press-box, which is supported in the horizontal frame A.v B represents the movable crossh head, which forms one ofthe upright ends of the press-box, 'and is moved horizontally by means of rods and chains, C, attached thereto and leading to the opposite end of the press-box, where they are fastened to a trans verse shaft, D, near the centre thereof. When the cross-head is drawn back to the end of the press-box the chains and rods rest in a groove or opening made in the side yboards' of the press-box, and move longitudinally therein when the ashaft D is revolved. Guide-rollers or sheaves, C', are placed in the front 'end of thepress, which hold the chains parallel in the grooves in the sides of the =press-box, but cause them to lead obliquely to the windlass-shaft D, so thatthey will wind spirally thereon, to prevent the coils from riding on each other, and to brin-g the final strain parallel and direct on both. chains. A conical drum, E, is keyed to one end ofthe shaft D, which drum has a spiral groove cut around its conical rim. A chain or rope is connected to the said drum upon that Vside thereof which has the greatest circumference, and is wound around the drum and within the said groove. From there the rope or chain leads to a capstan, windlass, or other device, by which means power may be applied sufficiently to pull upon therope or chain, and thereby revolve the shaft D, wind up the chain C, and move the cross-head 13. The drum has a conical shape, for the purpose of increasing the leverage upon the shaft D as the cross-head advances and the resistance increases. The top of the press-box is formed by two hinged covers,'F and Gr, one immediately above the bale of hay or cotton when pressed, and the other coveri ing the remaining portion of the press-box. The top of each of these covers is strengthened with transverse braces, g', which are hinged, as shown atf, upon this side of the press-box frame, and provided with alocking device upon the other side; This locking device consists of a long lever, H, having its fulcrum near one end, upon the top of the braces g. The short end of this lever takes hold of a hinged staple or loop, t, attached to the side of the frame A', and the long end thereof is securely held down by the hook or staple h2, upon the top of the brace g. A hook, las, projecting from the bottom of the brace, and hooking on to the rod to which ythe loop hl is hinged, gives additional strength to this locking device. I represents a. side door, the size of which is larger than one side of the nished bale of hay or cotton, and which is located opposite such bale when vfinished. This door is hinged Vat the bottom, and is opened downwardly, so as to lie dat upon the ground when open. It is fastened by means of the latch-bar z" and the hooks h3 projecting from the braces g of thetop cover G. The hinged loop t, of the locking device above described, is located upon the doorframe,rwhich, when closed, forms a partof the main frame A. This side door I serves the purpose of enabling the attendant to easily remove the bale of hay or cotton after it has been pressed into the proper shape. .T represents a shaft,

i loop z, and staple or hook It, substantially as described.

and J a hand-wheel thereon, which are located upon the end of the frame A opposite to the shaft D, and provided witb two ropes wound around theV shaft, the other end of each rope being attached toeach side of the movable cross-head. By means ofthiscontrivance the attendant may, by hand, withdraw the cross-head from the bale of hay or cotton when finished, and move it back to the end of the pressbox.

My improved hay or cotton-press is especially designed for use upon the farm. 'It can be constructed very cheap and durable, and may be' portable if desired. r

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is?- 1. Attaching the draught-chains C to the follower B, at points inside of the press-frame A (the sides of the press-box being slotted longitudinally, for the passage of the chains,) for the purpose described.

2. Leading the draught-chains C, when placed within the press-box, over the sheaves C', and obliquely to or -nearly to the centre of the windlass-shaft D, in the manner and for the purpose described.

3. The locking device applied to the top covers F and G, and side door I, composed of the lever H, hinged FRANK Hoeren.

Witnesses:

B. H. MUEBLE, Enw. WILHELM. 

